“She was well out of order.”
“I know.”
“You going to forgive her?”
“Eventually. Make her squirm for a while first.”
Ian laughed. “Good.”
Alice twisted her hands together and Ian looked to her, “What?” he asked.
“I’m going to get bored sitting around all day. Waiting. Worrying.”
“Ring the police. Hassle them. Chase the interview. Ask the FMP people whether they’ve made their minds up.”
“I suppose. Do you want the door open?”
“Closed. Want to concentrate on this.”
116
Cole called the Metro Hotel in Ladbroke Grove from the room in the guest house. “Hi. My name is Simon. I’m from Xtra News. We’re supposed to be doing an interview with one of your guests, Alice Madsen, and I need to talk to her about some details. Could you put me through please?”
“Please hold while I check for you.”
Cole waited while the receptionist tapped on her keyboard. If Alice answered, he’d tell her he was arranging flowers for the room to look good on camera.
“I’m sorry, Sir, but that guest has checked out.”
Cole thanked her and ended the call. From what Laura said yesterday, this suggested Alice had gone home to Portobello. He wondered whether Laura had told Alice to expect the flowers, it would be good if she had, but either way, Cole would make it work.
All he needed to do was establish when Alice would be in the house. Mid-morning would be a likely time. The boyfriend would be at work, and no-one would expect Cole to break in during broad daylight. It would be the perfect time to deliver a large bunch of flowers for the interview, and a search on his phone showed a florist on Portobello Road, a short walk from Alice’s house.
Cole nodded to himself. It was time. He picked up the photo of Daz. “Gonna get that bitch for you, Bro.”
Cole checked the contents of his bags. Then he placed the photo into the holdall and zipped it up. He stashed the other bag in the wardrobe. He washed down ten Captagon pills with a glass of water from the bathroom. Everything was in place. After a final look around, he left the room carrying the holdall with him.
He walked to the flower shop on Portobello Road, where he ordered an arrangement that cost over £100. They told him it would be 20 minutes, and he bided his time in a cafe, where he drank tea and waited for the Captagon to kick in.
117
Kapoor finished writing up another interview on the Natalie Johnson case and decided to get a coffee. As she stood, her phone rang with a number she didn't recognise.
“DS Kapoor.”
“Sergeant, this is Laura Bowfield from Xtra News. I want to talk to you about Alice Madsen.”
Kapoor rolled her eyes. “I don’t talk to the press. Sorry.”
“No wait. This isn't an interview. I was hoping to help.”
“Oh yeah?”
“I’ve arranged to interview Alice together with Lewis Cole. He’s the guy who caught the terrorist and accused Alice of helping with the attack. He now believes he was wrong and wants to apologise to her. I’ve heard you are investigating people who had friends or relatives killed in the attack?”
Kapoor leaned back in her chair and stifled a yawn. “Where did you hear that?”
“A source.”
“A source, huh?” Kapoor picked up a pen. “Okay. Go on.”
“Are you investigating Lewis Cole?”
Kapoor shook her head at the audacity. “I can't tell you that.”
“He fits the profile, and his brother died. You see, I interviewed Cole yesterday about the reaction to the Whitechapel attack. He apologised to Alice during the interview. Came across as magnanimous.”
“What exactly are you trying to ask me?” Kapoor scribbled on her pad.
“Um, I think I have my answer.”
“You’re just fishing. Off the record?”
“Sure.”
That didn’t satisfy Kapoor. “Say it.”
“All right. Off the record.”
“I can't rule Cole out as a suspect in the Madsen assault, but I have nothing to say he did it either. We’re running checks on mobile phones to see if anyone on our list was in the Portobello area on the night of the assault. But that’s only one of er, many lines of enquiry.”
“Will you let me know if Cole’s number shows?”
“No.”
“But would he be a threat to me?”
Kapoor paused and thought. “Why would he?”
“Because I can put him in touch with Alice?”
“I don’t think you’re in any danger from him, however, don't volunteer any information on Alice to him.”
“Um... Okay.”
“Look, I’m not saying Cole is dangerous or he's the guy who broke into Alice’s. Just saying be careful.”
“But you're not saying he isn’t either?”
“How do you contact Cole?”
“Phone.”
“What’s his number? I’ll check it’s the same as the one we have.”
Laura reeled off a number and Kapoor compared it with the one on file. “Yes. It matches.”
“Sorry I couldn't help.”
“Look Laura, I’ll update you on Cole provided you do likewise. When is this interview?”
“Today or tomorrow.”
“Put him under pressure, but don't do anything stupid. You’ll have a crew with you, right?”
“That sounds like he is a suspect. Should I cancel the interview?”
“No. I didn’t say that.” Kapoor scratched her ear. “You’re a smart woman. Call me when you've done the interview.”
118
Before Cole returned to the florists, he scrolled through his contacts for Alice’s mobile number. The possibility she might have changed it fazed him for a moment, but Captagon confidence had kicked in, and he thumbed a text to her.
Hi! Sheena from Buds and Roses on Portobello Road has a gorgeous handmade flower arrangement for you. Delivery Dave will bring it to your door this morning. Let us know if there is a good time? Thanks and
